Air washer and the like



A. A. DAY, AIR WASI-IER AND-THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. IB. I9I9.

Patented J an. 3,' 1922.

2 SHEETS-#SHEET I.

III

IIIIIIIIIII'IIII Ilm Afl-g In! A A. A. DAYA AIR WASHER AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED sEPT.1s.1s19.

Patented Jan. 3, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEEI 2.

^ UNITED STATES,

PATENT oF-Fica. f

ARTHUR A. DAY, orBUFFALo, NEW Yonx, AssIGNon To nUFEA'Lo roman` oonu'Amr,V

' or BUFFALO, NEW-Yoan;Vj

- c i AIIRWASHERANDTHELIXE- Specication o f Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 3, 1922.

Apncatioi med 'samenwer-1s, 191.9.l serial No. 324,652.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR A. DAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the countyof Erie and Stateof New York have invented a new and useful comprises a casing through which a currentl of air passes and in which it is brought into intimate contact with water, which may be discharged in a fine spray into thexcasing, and an eliminator or separator consisting of spaced plates of zig-zag or other suitable form arranged and spaced to form tortuous passages through which the moistpre-laden air passes so that the free particles of liquid are removed from the air byl reason of their contact with the surfaces of the eliminator lates. These eliminators usually consist ofP a multiplicity of relatively large, closely arranged plates so that if the eliminatoris completed with the plates in position at the factory itconstitutes a cum, bercome, heavy piece of apparatus which is expensive to pack and ship. Furthermore, a considerable amount of skilled labor by experienced workmen is required, bothat the factory in assembling and permanently connectingr the parts of the eliminator and at the place where it is to be installed, in properly setting the eliminator in the apparat-us and making proper joints and connections. lVhen the apparatus is thus constructed with the eliminator plates permanently Asecured in position, it is very ditlicult and practically impossible to properly clean the plates and 'paint them, which shouldrbe done from time 'to timeto pre- Y s erve the plates, and it is'a very expensive .and laborious matter to remove the plates for `repairs or to renew old plates: v V l One of the objects ofthis inventmn is.to

v produce an 'apparati'J of the' sort mentioned -Awhich isof a knock-downeonstructionorcomposed of separate parts or unitsfwllnich can be'readily manufactured,jhandled and.;

shippedandl can be properly assembled or set up expeditiously with the minimum of expense and skilled labor.

Otherobjects of the invention are to constructthe eliminator so that the eliminatorV plates 'are detachably or removably held in place in the apparatus,- thus enabling any one or more of the plates to be readily removed for cleaning or painting, or to enable the replacement of a defective plate or plates; also to construct the eliminator so that the several plates of the same can be packed compactly and shipped in a knockdown nested condition to reduce the shipping expense, and so as to ensure of being properly mounted or placed in the apparatus, without possibility of mistakes in setting up the apparatus by reason of the use n of unskilled workmen; and also to improve apparatus yof this sort in the other respects `hereinafter described and set forth in the claims. l

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a transverse sectional elevation on lineV 1-1, Fig. 2, of an air washer embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional elevation thereof, on line 2 2, Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional plan yviewgthereof on -line 3 3, Fig. 2, on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the fastening means for one of the holding bars for the eliminator plates, showing the parts disconnected.

Fig; 5 is Ia sectional velevation showing one of the plate-holding bars and its fastening means connected. I

A. represents ythe casing of the apparatus. Usually the casing is of rectangular cross- -sectional form, open at its opposite ends for theentrance and discharge of the air, and is constructed so that its lower portion forms a receiving tank'or reservoirffor the water or liquid with which tite air or gas is treated. This casing can be of any usual or suitable -construction but it is preferably made of Y sheet metal and so that it can be built. and

shipped in sections;l arigl the sections readily, setup and connected at the place where the apparatus is to be installed. As shown, the casing comgrises a' lower horizontalv portion or section which forms a tank or reser:

voir in the lower portion of-the casing, and

a main or upprportion which surmounts the water tank and is composed of separableopposite side walls C and a top D, 5 which are boltedor otherwise suitably secured together so that the Walls can be shlipped knock-down and assembled at the jo E represents the eliminator for removing or separating the free particles of water or liquid from the air or gas. The 'eliminator shown consists of a multiplicity of upright 1 parallel zig-zagy plates l0 arranged relatively close together and separated by tortuous passages for the air. As is well known, the climinator is located in the casing so that the air or gas, armer passing through the liquid spray Y from spray nozzles (not shown), or being otherwise brought into contact with thev liquid, passes through the tortuous passages between the eliminator plates for separating the free liquid from the air or gas. The eliminator plates rest at their lower ends upon a suitable support in the'washer casing. This support preferably consists of opposite parallel angle bars 11 and lla'which parts of the portions 19 disconnected and the p extend horizontallyr across the casing and are preferably supported above the bottom of the tank B by suitable legs or stands 12 which, .in the construction shown, consist of metal bars bent into substantially inverted U-form and having inturned lower ends forming feet. One of the bars, 11, is preferably bolted or otherwise stationarily secured on the legs or stands 12 and connects the same. The other bar, 11, preferably rests loosely on the legs or stands 12 between the opposite walls of the casing A and is re.

movably retained inplace on the stands by suitable means, such, for instance, as turn buttons or plates 13 pivoted to the stands 12 and adapted to be turnednto and from an upright holding position in which the upper ends of the buttons project up in front of the removable bar 11. The eliminator plates rest von the barsll, 11a between their up-l turned flanges, and are held in the intended parallel, spaced relation by holding bars or members 14 and 15 which extend across the casing at oppositel sides of Aor in front and in rear ofthe group of eliminator plates.`

These bars are preferably arranged in pairs and any suitable number of pairs of the bars may be employed as may be necessary, de-

as to'hold the eliminator plates rigid. In the construction shown, three pairs of these bars are used, one pair near the upper ends of the eliminator plates and the remaining two pairs at suitable points intermediate the ends j of the plates. The bars 14 at one side of the eliminator, preferably the rear side, do not have to be' removed and, if desired, they can vbe permanently secured in the casing. Preferably, however, these bars 14, withthe exf cured in place in the same way as theiront `an upperflange which is soldered or otherportions 18 which'are riveted or otherwise pending upon the size of the eliminator, so

with their lower ends resting on the supception of the top one, are-removably sebars 15, which will be p'resently described. The top bar 14 shown is of Z-form and has wise secured to the top wall of the casing. The bars 15 at the front or opposite side of the eliminator are removably secured in the casing, preferably -as follows:

Each bar 15, which may be of any suitable shape but is preferably .an angle bar, rests at its opposite ends upon and interlocks with two brackets or supports 17 which are permanently secured to and project inwardly from the opposite sidewalls C of the casing. Each of these brackets 17 consists of a bent metal plate having oppositely projecting end secured to the casing wall, and upright parallel portions 19v which project inwardly from the wall of thecasing. rllhese inwardly projecting portions 19 are `spaced apart and form a socket adapted'to receive the depending vertical flange of the bar 15. The uper portion of the bent inner end of the racket is removed, thus leaving the upper lower parts thereof joined by an end wall 20.

The vertical ange of the bar 15 is provided near each end with adownwardly opening 9,5

vertical slot 21. When the vertical flange of the bar 15 is slipped-downwardly into the sockets or spaces between the portions 19 of the two opposite brackets, the slots 21 in the flange receive the end walls 20. The bars 15 are thus held securely and rigidly in place and the opposite side walls of the casing are connected or tied together by the'bars. Nevertheless the bars can be readily removed by lifting them upwardly to disengage their ends from the brackets 17. The rear bars 14 are preferably removably secured in place in the same way, so as to standardize the construction and enablethe parts of the apparatus to be more readily assembled. The brackets are permanently secured in proper position on the side walls at the factory, and in setting up the apparatus it is only necessary toy en age the bars 14 and 15 with the brackets. his ensures the proper placlng of the parts and no tools are necessary to secure and remove the bars. v

The inwardly yproj ecting horizontal lianges of the opposite bars 14 and 15 are provided with seats or parts by which the frontend rear edges of the eliminator plates are held. These seats, which 'are preferably formed by notches 22 in theedges of the bars, are uniformly spaced at the required distance to give the desiredspacing of the leliminator plates 10 and they thus serve to uniformly space the eliminator plates and retalnvthem accurately in position. In assemblingr the eliminator, the eliminator plates are placed porting bars 11 'and '11 and with their rear edges entering the notches -22 in the rear bars 14.A The removable front bars 15 are then engaged with the front edges of the eliminator plates and driven into `place in their sockets erbrackets 17.. The eliminator can bethus quickly set up in position in the`l` vwasher casing and the plates will be accu-f rately and properly spaced and retained in position without rrequiring vany particular skill on the part of the workmen in setting up the apparatus and no solder or rivet joints havel to be made. If it is desired to remove any plate or plates of the leliminator for cleaning, painting or renewing the same, this can be readily -done by removing the loose supporting bar 11a and disengaging the front bars 15 from their brackets 17. Any one orvmore of the eliminator plates can then be readily moved forwardly out of en agement with -the rear holding bars 14. referably the lfront and rearbars 14- and 15 of the'intermediate pairs are connected by bolts 23 which extend'thr'ough` holes or slots in the vertical angesofthe bars and are provided with removable nuts 24 at their'front ends. Each ofthe bolts passes through holes in one ofthe eliminator plates,- the inclined portions of` whichintersect the bolt. When the nuts 24 'are loosened, the removable front bars'fcan be ldisengaged 4.from their securingbrackets 17. The bolts 23 tie the front and rear 'bars 14 and 15 together and prevent them from sagging and from disengagement from the edges -of the eliminator plates. All of the eliminator plates are therefore rigidlyl tied together and held in place, and the bars connecting the plates between their ends prevent them from rattling or vibrating and making an objectionable noise.

In the apparatus described the elimin tor plates are arranged vertically and the-"n- .vention has been described in -connection with such an arrangement. ln some apparatus, however, the eliminator plates' are -differently arranged, for instance horizontally and obliquely, and the invention is equally applicable to Vthese dierentarrangements, the holding 'bars engaging the edges of the plates and acting in the same manner to space and secure the plates. It is not intended therefore to restrict the invention to the vertical arrangement shown. Obviously also, the removable holding bars can be re-4 movably secured in place in other ways.

25, Fig. 3 represents an uprightv bar or vdam which is secured' to one of thev side walls C ofthe washer casing andextends in-4 wardly therefrom to the adjacent eliminator plate, having its inner upright edge seated in one of the angles of the eliminator plate. This bar 2,5is'for the purpose of preventing the air from blowing water through the casing between the side wall and t e adjacent eliminator plate. The bar Aprefe ably has a forwardly-bent, inner edge 26 wich prevents the escape of the water past the same. This bar can be permanently an angle to enable water from nozzles 27 arranged in the upper portion of the casing to be. discharged against the upper ends of the eliminator plates for the purpose of flushing a portion vof theinclined facesof the plates.

and causing films of water to flow downwardlyon these, faces to keep the plates `clean and free from accumulations. 'The pipe 28 carrying these nozzles, in thev construction shown, is arranged behind a shield which extends downwardly from the top -wqall of the casing toa point below the cutofupper corners of the eliminator plates.

This shield preferably has short, fixed end yportions 29 and a movable intermediate portion or door 30 which is hinged at its lower edge to the upper removable plate-holding bar 15. The free upper end of this hinged section is adapted to be secured by thumb screws, or other fastenings, to the top of the washer casing. The hinged section can thus be released and swung down to afford access to the spray nozzles 27 and can be removed with the bar 15 from the casing.`

The fixed end sections are secured in placeby rivets 'or the f like passing through end flanges-on the sections and through holes provided for them in the side walls of the casing, this construction enabling the shield to be `readily mounted in the casing when the parts thereof are assembled.

32 and 33 represent two overlapping plates secured on the under side of the top of the casing and having downturned rear edges or flanges which prevent the escape of water through the eliminator. on the under surface of the casing top. The flange of the plate 32 also forms a stop or jambfor the hinged shield.

'I claim as my invention: 1. In an apparatus` of the kind described,

the combination of a casing, a group of sepa? Y rate eliminator plates, and means for removably securing said plates in spaced relation in the casing to form tortuous passages, comprising a support on which said plates loosely rest, a member which releasably engages and holds one edge of each plate, ,a

bar 'which is removably secured in the cas-v ing and has portions for removablyengaging corresponding edges Aof the several 1n the casing to form tortuous passages, comprising a support on which 4said plates throu and has loosely rest, a member which releasably engages and holds one edge of each plate, abar which is removably secured in the casing portions for removably engaging corresponding edges of the several plates, and a bolt connecting said plate-holding member and said bar, said bolt passing h an adjacent plate, whereby said plateolding member, said bar and said plates are rigidly tied together.

3. In an apparatus of the kind described, the combination of a casing, a group of separate eliminator plates, and means for removably securing said plates in spaced relation in the casing to form tortuous passages, comprising holding means which extend crosswise of said group of plates and have .portions which engage the edges of all of the plates, and means for removably securing in -4 side of the group of plates and has portions place a portion of said holding means, whereby thesame can be removed to permit the inqdependent removal of said plates.

v4. In an apparatus of the kind described, the combination of a casing, a group of separate eliminator plates, and means for remov-A 'ably securing said plates in spaced-'felation in the casing to form tortuous passages, comprising av means at oneside of said group of plates b all of-t e plates are releasably held, and a movable device which engages and 'releasably holds adjacent edges of said plates at another side of said group of plates, Whereby upon disengagement of said movable dej vice from said plates'independent removalv of any of said plates is permitted.

In an apparatus of thetkind described, the 'combination `of a casing, a group of separate eliminator plates, and means for removably securing said plates in spaced relationv 1n the casing to form tortuous passages, comprismg a member at one side of said group of plates Which releasably engages and holds the adjacent edges of all 'of the plates between the-ends thereof and a bar which is removably secured in the casing at another which releasably engage andhold the adjacent edges of the plates between the .ends thereof.

6. In an apparatus of the kind described, the combination of a casing, a group of separate eliminatorplates, and .means for removably securing said plates in spaced relationV in the casing to form tortuous passages, comprising a support on which said plates means of which adjacent edges of ably vsecuring said plates in spaced relation in the casing to form tortuous passages, comprising a support on which said plates loosely rest, a member at Yone side of said group of plates. which releasably engages and holds the adjacent edges of the plates, a bar which is arranged at another side of the grou of plates and has portions which releasa ly engage and hold the adjacent ledges of the plates, and fastening devices secured to the casing and releasably engaging said bar to removably secure the same in place.

8. In an apparatus of the kind described, the combination of a knock-down casing having separable walls, a group of separate eliminator plates, and means for removably securing sald plates in spaced relation `in the casing, comprlsing a member at one side of the group of plates which'releasably engages and holds th`e adjacent edges of the plates, a bar which is arranged at another side of the group of plates and has portions which releasably engage and hold the adjacent edges o f the plates, and fastening devices which are secured to opposite Walls of the casing and .with which said bar releasably interlocks to removably secure said bar in place.

9. In an apparatus of the kind described, the combination of a casing, eliminator plates .arranged in spaced relation inv said casing to provide tortuous passages through which air or gas is adapted to flow for separating entrained liquid from the air or gas, and a dam secured to a wall of the casing and having a free end projecting therefrom toward the adjacent eliminator plate, said free end of the dam being formed with a for- Wardly bent angular portion adapted to bear l attached to said removable bar and adapted to be fastened in a position in front of said flooding means.

l1. .In an apparatus of the kind described, the combination of a casing, a group of separate eliminator' plates, and means for removably securing Said plates in spaced relation in the casing, comprisingr a member at one side of the group ot' plates which releasably engages and holds the adjacent edges of the plates, a bar which is arranged at another side of the group of plates and has portions which releasably engage and hold the adjacent edges of the plates, brackets secured to opposite walls of the casing, and interlocking portions on said brackets and on the ends ot' said bar, whereby said bar is removably secured to said brackets.

l2. In an apparatus or" the kind described, the combination of a casing, a group of separate eliminator plates, and means for removably securing said plates in spaced relation in the casing, comprising.)r a member at one side of the group of plates which ieieasably engages and holds the adjacent edges of the plates, a bar which is arranged at another side of .the group of plates and hasv portions which releasably engage and hold the adjacent edges of plates, said bar having a pair ot' slots in its lower edge adjacent its ends,

Aa pair of brackets secured to opposite walls of the casing, each of said brackets having a pocket adapted to receive an end of said bar, and an end wall portion adapted to enter the adjacent slot n said. bar7 whereby said bar is remo 'ably secured to the walls of the casing.

fitness my hand, this 13th day of September, 1919.

ARTHUR A. DAY. l'vvitnesses CHARLES Boo'rii3 ORviLLE K. Dres. 

